Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-11-11

able for these qualities, that | fear it has
too often provoked spirit of playful ag-
gression, in which the deeper underlying
meaning was forgotten. So let me add
that in manner, physical equipoise, and
even in the mere details of dress, this
figure indicated certain aristocratic eX-
clusivencss. 1t was the presentment of
king-a king who by the irony of circum-
stances was just then waging war against
all kingship; a ruler of men, who just
then was fighting for the right of these
men to govern themselves, but whom by
his own inherent right he dominated.
From the crown of his powdered head to
the silver buckle of his shoe he was so
royal that it was not strange that his
brother George Of England and Hanover
ruling by accident, otherwise impiously
known as the "grace of God'-could find
no better way of resisting his power than
by calling him "Mr. Washington"
The sound of horses hoofs, the formal
challenge of sentry, the grave questioning
of the Offices of the guard, followed by
footsteps upon the porch, did not appar-
emily disturb his meditation. Nor did the
opening of the outer door, and charge of
cold air into the hall that invaded even the
privacy of the reception room, and bright
ened the dying embers on the hearth, stir
his calm prcoCcupation. But an instant
later there was the distinct rustic of
feminine skirt in the hall, Il hurried whs-
pering of mems voices, and then the sud
den apparitiOn of a smooth, fresh faced
young officer over the shoulder of the I'M
conscious figure.
81 beg your pardon, general" said the
officer doubtingly, "but''-
"You are not intruding, Col Hamil-
ton, said the general quietly.
"There is young lady without who
wishes an audience of your excellency.
'Tis Mistress Thankful Blossom, the
daughter of Abner Blossom, charged with
treasonous practice and fGyoring the en-
envy, now i'll the guardhouse at Norris
town.
"Thankful Blossom" repeated the gem
eral interrogativcly.
"Gour eXccllency doubtless remembers
n little provincial beauty and a famous
toast of the country sidc-the Crcssida of
our Morristown epic, who led our gallant
Connecticut captain astrayn-
''You have the advantages, besides the
better memory of Il younger man, colonel"
said Washington, with playful smile
that slightly REDEEMED the check of his
aide-de-camp. "Yet l think have heard
of this phenomenon. BY all means, adj
nit her-and her escortn
''She is alone, general" responded the
subordinate.
Then the more reason why we should
be polite" returned Washington, for the
first time altering his easy posture. rising
to his feet and lightly claspng his RULED
hands before him. eve must not keep
her waiting. Give her access, my dear
colonel at once, and even as she came
alone.n
The aide-de-camp bowed and Withdrew.
In another moment the half opened door
swung wide to Mistress Thankful Bios
som.
She was so beautiful in her simple
riding dress, so quaint and original in
that very beauty, and, above all, so tenn
ing with certain vital earnestness of
purpose just positive and audacious
enough to set off that beauty, that the
grave gentleman before her did not con-
tent himself with the usual formal in
clination of courtesy, but actually adj
vanced, and, taking her cold little hand
Ill his, graciously led her to the chair he
had just vacated
Even If your name were not known to
me, Mistress Thankful" said the COM
mander-in-chef, looking down upon her
with grave politeness, "nature has, me-
thinks, spared you the necessity of any
introduction to the courtesy of q gentle
man. But how can l especially serve
you?'
AlNcEi the blaze of Mistress Thankful's
brown eyes had become somewhat dimmed
in the grave half lights of the room, in
the graver, deeper dignity of the erect,
soldier like figuse before her. The bright
color born Of the tempest within and with
out had somehow faded from her cheek;
the sauciness begottcn from bullying her
horse in the last half hours rapid ride
was so subdued by the actual presence of
the man she had come to bully that fear
she had to use all her self control to keen
down her inclination to Whimpcr, and to
keep back the tears that, oddly enough,
rose to her sweet eyes as she lifted them
to the quietly critical yet placid glance of
her interlocutor.
81 can readily conceive the motive of
this visit, Miss Thankful" continued
Washington, with a certain dignifled
Andliness that was more reassuring than
the formal gallantry of the period "and
it is, protest, to your credit A fathers
welfare, however erring and weak that
father may be, is most seemly in O
maiden''--
Thankful's eyes flashed again as she
rose to her feet. Her upper lip, that had
moment before trembled in pretty in
famine distress, now stiffened and curlet
as she confronted the dignifled figure be
fore her. 1T is not of my father 1 would
speak" she said saucily: 81 did not ride
here alone tonight, in this weather, {